Betshaba Goddess of Water
Gender: Female	Rank: Greater
Avatars: Batshar the Aged, El-Ahar, the Wavequeen	Consort(s): None
Nature: Chaotic	Ethos: Benevolent
Domains: Chaos, Water, Healing, Travel, Exorcism	Favored Weapon: Longsword
Spontaneous Casting: Cause Fear
Principal Creative/Concern Attribute: Water           Other Concerns: Oceans, Witch-hunting.
Allies: Betshaba is accorded respect by all of the Triadic, Ptharosian, Baelthoric, and, of course, Betshaban deities, and the Iuvenes, due to her loyalty to his father, Lord Ptharos. Adrasteia, goddess of rivers and offspring of Betshaba, is her constant companion, as it is her responsibility to feed Betshaba what foods she needs. Podalirius, god of vegetation and another offspring of Betshaba, is also often found at her court, attempting to court her favor for his sphere.           Foes: Taltos, Dagon's offspring created to defeat Betshaba, is a great enemy to Betshaba, though Betshaba opposes all of the Dagonian deities. The Wavequeen has declared that Clementia, Betshaba's offspring and goddess of mercy, is no longer welcome in her court, due to her constant complaining on Betshaba's treatment of those who travel the waves. It is said that, during the winter months, Clementia can be found outside the doors of the Palace of the Mere, dressed as a penitent and begging for her mother's favor. Dagon, god of flame and evil, as well as her uncle, is Betshaba's most dire enemy, as she seeks vengeance for her rape at his hand.

Other Information
          Dwelling Place: The Palace of the Mere
          Weapons: Betshaba is never without the Brinesword, a blue blade said to have been cold-forged from the essence of elemental water. She also often carries the Net of Vengeance, which will hold fast any who has done evil until she commands it to release.
          Armor: Betshaba is rarely depicted in armor, though stories tell us of the Diluent Shield, which destroys any weapon which touches it.
          Attendants: Betshaba is fed by Adrasteia, goddess of rivers, as mentioned above. She is also served by St. Posidos, Celestial Captain of the Waverunner; St. Steven, Celestial Captain of the Torrent's Revenge; St. Magdaline, Celestial Captain of the Whalebone; and St. Chlodomer the Righteous.
          Descriptive and Miscellaneous Information: Betshaba is typically depicted as a beautiful, mature woman with soft, extremely pale skin and long, flowing, blue-green hair. She wears a ridged helm and long robes with the various blues, greens and greys of the seas. Rarely, she is also depicted with the round Diluent Shield. As Batshar the Aged, she is depicted as an obese woman with long, white hair and deep wrinkles on her face. As El-Ahar, she depicted as young and incredibly beautiful, with sharp teeth and small horns on her forehead. As the Wavequeen, she is depicted as a great sea vessel with ropes of seaweed and sails the color of water, easily capable of carrying hundreds of men.

Priesthood and Worship
          Requirements for Priesthood: The priesthood of Betshaba follows the same hierarchy and structure as the priesthood of her father, Lord Ptharos. Furthermore, those who seek admittance to the higher levels of priesthood must have extensive knowledge of the sea, including how to command a sailing vessel through open waters. Betshaba's priesthood tends to be dominated by females, though there are no official proscriptions against males holding any rank.
          The Children of St. Chlodomer are a fairly radical sect bent on the destruction of all who are held in a Pact to the forces of evil, including witches and sorcerers. Their tactics are somewhat extreme, in the views of the priesthood. In their point of view, an innocent who is destroyed or harmed in the war against evil is automatically forgiven of his minor sins and granted a place in heaven. Their upper hierarchy is composed of priests, called Inquisitors.
          Customs: The priesthood of and adherents to Betshaba obeys the Codex of St. Posidos, which details the customs of the sea and sea-travel. The Codex, recorded by one of Betshaba's first priests, gives direction in such things as the proper times to enter and leave port, as well as details on semaphore communication between ships. It also requires that priests travel overseas at least once a decade on a pilgrimage, while worshippers of Betshaba are merely required to travel in such a manner at least once in their life. Such individuals are permitted to use the appellation "Seaborne" with their names. Worshippers of Betshaba are required to give worship to her father, Lord Ptharos, as well. See the entry for that deity for more information.
          Worship ceremonies either take place at the nearest waterway or in the Hall of Water in a Temple of the Triad. They always entail the sprinkling of holy water, as well as the immersion in water of those members who wish to be cleansed of sin.
          Restrictions/Taboos: There are numerous restrictions and taboos that the worshippers of Betshaba must follow, most of which deal with interaction with the sea. Some examples include the proscription against having women aboard vessels of war (unless they are priestesses of Betshaba) as well as using a triple knot when tying nets to be used in fishing. Specific details of all the restrictions and taboos are far too numerous to list here.
          The only colors restricted from usage by the priests of Betshaba are orange and yellow, which are the colors of Dagon in religious practice.
          Symbols: The symbol of Betshaba is a blue triangle, usually depicted at the lower left side of the Triadic triangle. When depicted alone, her symbol is that of a single spear over a stylized ocean wave. Aquamarine is important to Betshaban ritual, and the stone is often used inlaid into the hilts of weapons dedicated to the Wavequeen. Pearl is also important, and priests are bedecked in jewelry made of this precious minerals. The Children of St. Chlodomer even create special magic items out of pearl which will discolor when in the presence of a witch or sorceror. Water is extremely significant to the priesthood, and a priest who does not have sufficient water (basically pure…saliva and urine are not enough), all spells cast receive a +1 to any saving throw . When they are actually standing in a large, natural or consecrated body of water, at least as deep as their waist, they receive a +1 caster level for the purpose of level checks .
          Important Holy Days: The Dedication of the Triad is a significant holy day to worshippers of Betshaba; see the entry on Lord Ptharos for more information on this ceremony. The Rise of the Waters is one of the most important holy days to Betshaba. Held on the summer solstice at such a time as to coincide with the high tide, it is a celebration of the ocean and its bounty. For two days before the solstice the celebrations begin at the nearest waterway, preferably an ocean. Worshippers in the region bring food and refreshments to a predetermined spot and the feast begins. On the third day, the day of the solstice, a ceremony is held in the water by the priests. If successful, Betshaba will bring bounty to the waters, and calm the storms that often rock her seas.
          Garments and adornments: Priests of Betshaba wear garments of blue, grey and green, sewed as such to appear to be made of water. The hair is kept wet, particularly during ceremonies, and left free to hang over the shoulders (the cutting of hair is proscribed in the priesthood).
          Laity: There are numerous laymen who perform various services for Betshaba, at least among seamen and coastal inhabitants who rely on the sea for their sustenance. Some serve the clergy directly as ship captains or fishermen who provide transportation and food to their superiors.